Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALGAKXYN’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGAKXYN’, particularly characterized by having white flowers with a pink blush in the center and white lips with a hint of very light purple, 1 to 3 peduncles that are long and sturdy, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALGAKXYN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALGAKXYN’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withnumerous attractive white flowers with a pink blush in the center andwhite lips with a hint of very light purple, suitable for potted plantproduction.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALGAKXYN’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in January 2009 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘6240-02’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘20421-08’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in June 2012. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Apr. 26, 2018, by Applicant who obtained thesubject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALGAKXYN’ hasnot been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior tothe effective filing date of this application with the exception ofsales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filingdate of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALGAKXYN’directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHALGAKXYN’ as a new and distinct variety ofPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) White flowers with a pink blush in the center and white lips        with a hint of very light purple;    -   2) 1 to 3 peduncles; and    -   3) Peduncle is long and sturdy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms andfoliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs weretaken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-oldplants in October 2019. Colors in the photographs may differ from thecolor values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of‘PHALGAKXYN’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALGAKXYN’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALGAKXYN’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALGAKXYN’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity and day length, without; however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in October 2019 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in-vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALGAKXYN’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘6240-02’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘20421-08’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (between RHS 190B and 190C)            colored roots with branching lateral roots having light            yellow-green (RHS 146C) colored root tips with a hint of            purplish-red (RHS 184C).-   Plant:    -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual            propagation (in-vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24            weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are            finished after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendant with            raceme inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 50.0 cm to 60.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 29.0 cm to 32.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 5 to 7 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 18.0 cm            to 22.0 cm. Width: 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: Toward the apex. Shape: Obovate.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse unequal. Leaf            blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal            position): Between 15 degrees and 35 degrees. Leaf margin:            Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS            146B with a dark red margin (RHS 187A). Texture (both upper            and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.0 mm to 2.4 mm.            Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of            the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS            146B with a touch of RHS 187A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—7 to 10.        -   Length.—50.0 cm to 60.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendant.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS 200B) and green (RHS 146C).        -   Internode length.—4.0 cm to 5.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, raceme            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 3.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 150.0 mm to            200.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 75.0 mm to 80.0 mm. Diameter: 95.0 mm to            100.0 mm. Depth of lip: 24.0 mm to 27.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 12 to 15 weeks.        -   Flower shape.—Concave.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 18.0 mm to            20.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Slightly yellow-green (RHS 146D) at the base and            purplish-red (RHS N186D) toward the tip.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Emarginated. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 44.0            mm to 47.0 mm. Width: 56.0 mm to 58.0 mm. Position of the            broadest part of the petal: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS            NN155C). Over color: Light purplish-pink (RHS N78C) at the            base. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over            color: Light purple blush (RHS 76A to 76B). Number of spots            and stripes on the petals: None. Color of spots and stripes            on the petals: None. Density of netting of the petals: None.            Color of the netting: None.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse. Margin: Entire.            Length (from base to tip): 49.0 mm to 51.0 mm. Width: 30.0            mm to 32.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the dorsal            sepal: In the middle. Color (when fully opened): Upper            surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light            reddish-purple (RHS N78D) at the base. Lower surface: Basic            color: Light reddish-purple (RHS N78D). Over color: Slightly            white edge (RHS NN155C). Number of spots and stripes on the            dorsal sepals: None. Color of spots and stripes on the            dorsal sepals: None. Density of netting of the dorsal            sepals: None. Color of the netting: None.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 47.0 mm to            50.0 mm. Width: 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepal: At the middle. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: Light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) at the base and            very light purple blush (RHS 76C). Lower surface: Basic            color: Light reddish-purple (RHS N78D). Over color:            Reddish-purple midvein (RHS N78B) toward the tip. Number of            spots and stripes on the lateral sepals: Medium (at the            base). Color of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals:            Reddish-purple (RHS N78B). Density of netting of the lateral            sepals: None. Color of the netting: None.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 12.0            mm to 14.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C).            Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Margin: Entire. Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Width: 19.0 mm            to 21.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: White (RHS NN155C) with a            small reddish margin (RHS 184B) toward the base. Lower            surface: White (RHS NN155C) with a hint of very light purple            (RHS 76C) toward the base. Number of spots and stripes on            the lateral lobe: Few. Color of spots and stripes on the            lateral lobe: Red (RHS 184A). Density of netting of the            lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Trullate. Margin: Entire. Length: 19.0            mm to 21.0 mm. Width: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Slightly purplish-red (RHS 184D) at the base; very            light purple (RHS 76C) and white (RHS NN155C) toward the            whiskers. Lower surface: Light purple (RHS 76B) at the base            and white (RHS NN155C) toward the whiskers. Number of spots            and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots and            stripes on the apical lobe: None. Density of netting of the            apical lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.        -   Callus.—Average size: Medium to large. Height: 0.7 cm to            0.8 cm. Length: 0.6 cm to 0.7 cm. Width: 0.5 cm to 0.6 cm.            Color: Yellow (mix of RHS 9A and 10A) with reddish stripes            (RHS 176A).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to            6.0 mm. Color: Very light purple (RHS 76B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Color:            Orange-yellow (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm to 3.0            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 38.0 mm to 40.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm to            4.0 mm. Color: Dark red (RHS 187A) at the base; mix of            purplish-red (RHS N77B) and light yellow-green (RHS 145C);            very light purple (RHS 76C) toward the flower. Texture:            Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALGAKXYN’ differs from female parent plant ‘6240-02’ (unpatented) inthat ‘PHALGAKXYN’ has white whiskers and flowers with a main color ofwhite, whereas ‘6240-02’ has reddish-purple whiskers and flowers with amain color of reddish-purple. Additionally, ‘PHALGAKXYN’ has widerpetals than ‘6240-02’.

The male parent plant of ‘PHALGAKXYN’, cultivar ‘20421-08’ (unpatented)is no longer in existence, so a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘PHALGAKXYN’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALDILEP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,641) and ‘PHALBANEHI’ (unpatented).‘PHALGAKXYN’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDILEP’ in that‘PHALGAKXYN’ has apical lobes that are slightly purplish-red (RHS 184D)at the base and very light purple (RHS 76C) and white (RHS NN155C)toward the whiskers, whereas ‘PHALDILEP’ has apical lobes that are darkred (RHS 185A) at the base and purple (RHS N78C) and white (RHS NN155C)toward the whiskers. Additionally, ‘PHALGAKXYN’ has wider apical lobesand wider petals than ‘PHALDILEP’.

‘PHALGAKXYN’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALBANEHI’ in that‘PHALGAKXYN’ has apical lobes that are slightly purplish-red at the baseand very light purple and white toward the whiskers, whereas‘PHALBANEHI’ has apical lobes with yellow wings and at the base RHS 14A,and red toward the whiskers. Additionally, ‘PHALGAKXYN’ has largerflowers, wider apical lobes, and wider petals than ‘PHALBANEHI’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALGAKXYN’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.